Belief Systems and Rulers in China - The Real Deal on DBQs
Global History and Geography Name: ______
E. Napp Date: ______
Writing a DBQ is easy if you learn to see some simple clues!
Clue #1: The first page of any DBQ has the words:Historical Context written on it.Following the historical context is one or perhaps several sentences.
Historical Context is just a fancy way of saying: The Big Idea!
In other words, the historical context is the big idea of the DBQ. It will also be the big idea of the essay you will eventually write.
So, let’s try it: What’s the big idea of the following DBQ?
Historical Context:
In China, at least four different beliefs systems have historically influencedChinese thinking. These belief systems are Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and Buddhism. Some of these belief systems were developed because China was experiencing chaos within the country. Different rulers used different ideas from these belief systems to help them keep their country in order.
The big idea of this DBQ is (in your own words, please): ______
Clue #2: After we understand what the essay’s big idea is, we need to findthe word: TASK. The task will tell us what we have to include in our essay.
If you know where you are going, you have a better chance of getting there.
P.S. The box underneath the word task will list the essay’s directions. So, let’s practice.
So, what do you have to do?______
Clue #3: Now, calmly open the DBQ booklet. Relax! You know what you’re looking for and you know where you’re going. It’s just a matter of time before you get there.
Now, read and analyze each document carefully. Answer each document using the document. Please answer in your own words.
And let’s begin!
Document 1: A Confucian Saying
The Master said, “Rule over them with dignity and they will be respectful; treat them withkindness and they will do their best; raise the good and instruct those who are backward and they willbe filled with happiness.” ~ Confucius
- List three characteristics Confucius thought a good ruler should possess.
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Document 2: FROM THE BOOK OF LAO ZI, A DAOIST PHILOSOPHER
The best rulers are those that people do not even know exist.
The next best are those who people love and praise.
The next are those who people fear,
The next are those who people despise.
The best rulers seldom issue any orders.
2. What are two characteristics Lao Zi considered “best” for a ruler?
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Document 3: LAWS ON LAND: a time of Legalism
1. Those who occupy more land than allowed will be beaten ten strokes. More strokes can beadded for each piece of extra land they are occupying. After the punishment equals sixty strokes,fewer strokes will be added for each extra piece of land they occupy. The maximum penalty is oneyear of hard labor. If there is plenty of land around, no punishments shall be given.
2. Those who plant public or private land they do not own may be beaten thirty strokes. If they areplanting on many pieces of land they do not own, they may be beaten more than 100 strokes. Themaximum penalty is one and a half years of hard labor. The crops that were grown on the land go tothe owner of the land or the government.
- From the Tang Legal Code, 653 A.D.
3.Discuss two of the reasons people could be punished under the laws written above.
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Document 4: Buddhism
The Buddha said: “Should a man seek to do me harm, I will counter with compassion, calmness andjoy; the more he approaches me with hate, the more I reach out with kindness. The forces ofgoodness will be with me, while harmful forces and repeated misfortune will be with the other.”
4. What is one major message that the Buddha tried to spread to everyone, including rulers?
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Document 5: PROCLAMATION OF THE HONGWU EMPEROR (excerpted)
To all civil and military officials:
I have told you to refrain from evil. Doing so would enable you to bring glory to yourancestors, your wives, and children, and yourselves. However, how many of you have followedmy instructions? Those of you in charge of money and grain have stolen them yourselves; those ofyou in charge of criminal laws and punishments have ignored them. Occasionally these matterscome to my attention. I punish them with the death penalty or forced labor, or have them floggedwith bamboo sticks.
When a criminal commits a crime or when a good person mistakenly violates a law, he isgoing to be punished. In the morning I punish a few; by evening others commit the same crime. Ipunish these in the evening and by the next morning again there are violations. The harsher thepunishment, the more the violations. Day and night I cannot rest. What a difficult situation this is! If Ipunish people I am considered evil. If I go lightly on them, the law becomes useless, and peoplethink I am a useless ruler. To be a ruler is difficult indeed.
5. What does the Hongwu emperor believe he should do about crime?
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Document 6: EMPEROR TAIZONG ON EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT
How a Ruler Should Act
When the ruler looks as lofty as a mountain peak and as pure and bright as the sun and themoon, the people will admire and respect him. He must broaden his mind to accept heaven andearth, and use his heart to make fair decisions. He cannot expand his territory without goodness; hecannot protect his people without kindness. He treats his relatives with kindness, acts politelytoward his officers, honors his ancestors, and receives his subjects with thoughtfulness. Havingdisciplined himself, he practices good morals and righteousness. This is how a ruler should act.
6: Give three examples of how Emperor Taizong believes a ruler should act. ______
Clue #4: Now, that you understand the big idea of the essay, know what your essay must include, and have read every document, it’s time to quickly outline your essay.
Outline the Essay before Writing!
Remember to Divide and Label the Box!
Final Clues: Write the essay and remember these final clues:
Clue #5: You must include one more than half of the DBQ’s documents in your essay. If there are six documents, you must include four.
Clue #6: You must acknowledge when you have referred to a document in your essay. This can be done by writing the document number in parentheses after your summation sentence of the document.
Clue #7: You must include outside information in your essay. You must include, at least, one bit of information that will help to explain your essay’s big idea that is not in the documents.
Introduction:
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Body Paragraph 1:
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Body Paragraph 2:
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Body Paragraph 3:
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Body Paragraph 4: ______
Conclusion:
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